Baseball type game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus simulating the game of baseball, incorporating a playing surface simulating a baseball field including a diamond, a swingable bat mounted at a home plate position, a device for pitching a rollingly supportable simulated baseball toward the bat, figures simulating baseball players which are movable around the diamond, and a device simulating a glove or mitt for use by the players in catching a batted ball by capturing it rolling over the playing surface. The game further includes a safe/out indicator at each base and at home plate which will indicate whether a figure is safe or out at that particular base when an opposing player picks up the simulated baseball and places it in a hole provided near the base. The outfield area is inclined and has a plurality of baffles providing a tortuous path of travel of the ball rolling down the outfield area.

United States Patent [191 Morrison 1 1 BASEBALL TYPE GAME APPARATUS [75]Inventor: Howard J. Morrison, Deerfield, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: Nov. 28, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 419,805

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/89 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 7/06 [58] Field of Search273/88, 89,90

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,029,448 6/1912 Jessop273/88 1,772,116 8/1930 Snodgrass 273/89 1,911,651 5/1933 Snodgrass 1273/89 2,075,960 4/1937 Reichel 273/89 2,244,204 6/1941 Kessler 1 273/893,328,031 6/1967 Anderson et al. 273/89 1 1 May 13, 1975 PrimaryExaminer-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerHarry G. StrappelloAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Coffee & Sweeney [5 7} ABSTRACT A gameapparatus simulating the game of baseball, incorporating a playingsurface simulating a baseball field including a diamond, a swingable batmounted at a home plate position, a device for pitching a rollinglysupportable simulated baseball toward the bat, figures simulatingbaseball players which are movable around the diamond, and a devicesimulating a glove or mitt for use by the players in catching a battedball by capturing it rolling over the playing surface. The game furtherincludes a safe/out indicator at each base and at home plate which willindicate whether a figure is safe or out at that particular base when anopposing player picks up the simulated baseball and places it in a holeprovided near the base. The outfield area is inclined and has aplurality of baffles providing a tortuous path of travel of the ballrolling down the outfield area.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures fi 4 172 14? ,i 238 30 f 240 140 IIVIIIIIAl I am 1 PATENTEB HAY I 3 [975 BASEBALL TYPE GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates togame devices and more particularly to a simulated baseball game.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Prior amusement games have beenprovided which simulate the game of baseball. Typically, such gamesinclude a playing surface on which a simulated baseball is rollinglysupported. The playing surface has a baseball diamond thereon andbatting means mounted near home plate to hit the ball. The game alsoincludes pitching means to launch the ball toward the batting means,figures simulating baseball players which are mountable on the diamond,and means to propel the figures around the diamond.

Some of the above described games also have a safe/- out means fordetermining whether a batted ball results in a hit or an out". Anexample of a safe/out indica tor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,328,031.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present inventionis to provide a new and improved safe/out means and associated for usein the above described baseball game.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the inventiongenerally includes an indicator associated with each base wherein eachindicator is adapted to be engaged by the ball after the ball is hit byan offensive player and retrieved by a defensive player. The indicatorincludes a sign having indicia thereon indicating that the offensiveplayer is out when a figure moving around the base path reaches a givenbase after the ball is placed in engagement with the indicator.

The game includes means dividing the playing surface into an accessiblearea wherein a ball may be retrieved by a player and an inaccessiblearea wherein a ball cannot be retrieved by a player. Means is associatedwith the inaccessible area for moving said ball onto the accessible areaafter it has been in the inaccessible area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the gameapparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the game apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 55 of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of one of theindicating means illustrating its position when a figure has arrived ata base safely;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of one of theindicating means illustrating its position when a figure has not arrivedat the base safely;

FIG. 9 is a fragmented, partially broken away, perspective view of oneof the indicating means in relation to one of the figures;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6,the game apparatus of 10 the present invention, generally designated 10,includes a playing surface, generally designated 12, defining a baseballfield forming the top of a housing. The playing surface 12 is mounted ona generally rectangular frame wall 14 which circumscribes the playingsurface 12 on which a simulated baseball 13 is rollingly supported.

The game apparatus also includes batting means, generally designated 16,for hitting ball 13 over surface 12 and pitching means, generallydesignated 18, for propelling ball 13 toward the batting means 16.Propel ling means, generally designated 20, is provided to move figures,generally designated 22, over the playing surface to simulate baseballplayers running on the base path. After a ball 13 is hit, the figures 22are moved along the base path in an effort to have a figure reach a basebefore the defensive player is able to field the ball and move the ballto the base before the moving figure. A safe/out indicator, generallydesignated 24, is provided to determine whether a figure is safe or out.

The playing surface includes a generally horizontal surface 30 defininga baseball infield area and an upwardly directed inclined surface 32defining a baseball outfield area. A simulated baseball diamond 34 isformed by a continuous four-sided slot 35 in the infield surface 30 anddefines the base path about the infield. A base 36 is printed on theinfield 30 adjacent each corner of the diamond 34. Raised portions 38are provided in the lower right and lefthand corners of the surface 12adjacent the infield 30, as shown in FIG. 1. Recessed dugouts 40 areprovided in each of the raised areas 38. An additional circular recess42 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is provided in the righthand raised portion 38. Twocircular truncated tapered recesses 44 (FIGS. 1 and 3) are provided inthe lefthand raised portion 38.

The pitching means 18 is located generally in the center of the baseballdiamond 34 and the batting means 16 is mounted adjacent the home plateof the diamond 34. A generally rectangular recess 46 is provideddirectly behind the home plate 36 for receiving a ball 13 therein. Twosimilar recesses 48 are provided, one on either side of the recess 46.Indicia signifying a strike" is printed adjacent recess 46 while indiciasignifying a ball is printed adjacent both recesses 48.

A circular opening 50 and a generally square window opening 52 arelocated adjacent each base 36. Opening 50 and a window 52 form a part ofindicator 24 as will become apparent hereinafter.

A small upwardly directed peg 54 near home plate indicates the startingposition of the figure 22.

The outfield 32 is defined by a generally flat canted surface extendingupwardly and away from the infield 30. The outfield 32 contains aplurality of square holes 58 which indicate that an out has been scoredwhen a ball 13 drops therein and into the housing. A ball falling in oneof the holes 58 will be returned by a ramp 59 mounted under surface 12within the housing. Ramp 59 is secured between a vertical wall 60 and anobtuse wall 61. The ramp 59 will direct ball 13 through an aperture 3 62(FIG. 2) formed in wall 14. A plurality of vertical home run slots 63are provided in the wall 14 at the end of the outfield 32. A playerwhose hit ball passes through one of the slots 63 is awarded a home run.

The entire infield area 30 is completely accessible to a defensiveplayer in order that he may catch a ball 13 with a ball catching device(FIG. 11) whenever a ball is on the infield area 30. The outfield area32 is made inaccessible to the defensive player by means of a clearplastic shield 64 (FIG. This shield 64 requires that the defensiveplayer must wait until the ball rolls back down onto the infield portion30 before he can get to it. This delay gives the offensive player moretime to move his figure 22 about the baseball diamond. In order toincrease this time delay period, the outfield 32 includes impeding meansin the form of a plurality of upstanding ribs or baffles 65 which definetortuous path means and which deflect the ball 13 as it rolls both upand down the outfield area. These impeding means 65 also decreases thelikelihood of a ball travelling through one of the openings 63 for ahome run.

The pitching device 18 is provided for propelling the ball 13 towardsthe home plate 36. The pitching means 18, as best seen illustrated inFIG. 10, includes a pivotally mounted right angled pitching element 72.Pitching element 72 comprises a portion 74 on infield 30 and a portion78 below infield 30. A generally rectangular recess 80 is provided inthe infield such that the portion 74 will be flush with the surface ofthe infield 30 in a normal after pitch" position as shown in FIG. 1. Anadditional semispherical detent 82 is provided in a plate 83 forming thebottom of the recess 80 for hold ing the baseball 13 prior to propellingit to home plate 36 in a before pitch" position as shown in FIG. 10. Aprogressively shallower groove or guideway 84 is formed in the infield30 and extends from the detent 82 towards home plate 36 to aid indirecting the travel of the ball 13. When portion 74 is moved from abeforepitch to an after-pitch position, a ball 13 received in detent 82is pinched and projected toward home plate. Portion 74 has an undersidecutout portion 77 for directing the ball.

Looking at FIGS. 6 and 10, portion 78 of the member 72 includes a tab 86which is pivotally connected to a connecting rod 90. The other end ofthe rod 90 is pivotally mounted to a crank arm 92 which is mounted on avertical shaft 94 (FIG. 6). The vertical shaft 94 is rotatably mountedin the housing and extends upwardly above the outfield 32. A sphericalhandle 100 is secured to the top of the vertical shaft 94. A spring 96attached to the crank arm 92 and a hook 98 on the frame wall 14 biasesthe pitching device 18 towards its afterpitch position.

In order to pitch a ball 13 towards home plate, a player places the ballon the semi-spherical detent 82 after the portion 74 is raised to thebefore-pitch position by manually rotating the handle 100, in acounterclockwise direction as shown by arrow A in FIG. 1. As the handle100 is rotated in a clockwise direction opposite that of arrow A, theball 13 will be pinched toward home plate 36.

Looking at FIGS. 1 and 3, the batting means 16 includes a handmanipulatable bat 110 which is mounted at an end on a collar 112. Thecollar 112 fits over upstanding stud 114 which is integrally molded withthe playing surface 12 such that the collar 112 is freely rotatable. Afinger wheel 116 is provided on top of the collar 112 for hand rotation.Resilient means in the form of a small rubberband 118 is provided tobias the bat such that it will rotate in a counterclockwise direction asshown by arrow C in FIG. 1. A small upstanding pin 120 is provided onthe playing surface 12 to secure the other end of the resilient means118. By rotating wheel 116 in the direction opposite arrow C and thenreleasing it, sufficient force will be generated to hit a pitched ball13 from home plate 36 toward the outfield 32.

Figures 22 (FIGS. 1 and 9) are provided to simulate baseball playersrunning around the diamond 34. Each figure 22 includes the form of arunning baseball player which is mounted on a base 132. The base 132 ofeach player 22 is provided with two downwardly extending pins 134 and136. When not in use the pins 134 and 136 on the figures 22 are adaptedto engage a plurality of pairs of holes 138 in the dugouts 40.

The game apparatus 10 includes the propelling means 20 for moving thefigures 22 around the simulated baseball diamond. More particularly, thepropelling means 20 includes an annular disc or turntable 140 (FIGS. 2,4, 6 and 9) supported beneath the baseball diamond by a plurality ofribs 142 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Ribs 142 also support the inside area of thediamond.

The annular disc 140 contains four equidistant, radially directed slots144 (FIG. 2) each of which will, at all times, intersect the base lineslot 35 of the diamond 34, as best seen in FIG. 2. Looking at FIG. 2,the periphery of the annular disc 140 includes a continuous series ofgear teeth 146 for meshing engagement with a smaller gear 148 rotatablymounted on an extended rib 150. The gear 148 is in meshing engagementwith another similar gear 154 rotatably mounted on the rib which isfinally in engagement with a smaller gear 156 which is also rotatablymounted on the rib 150.

Looking at FIG. 3, the gear 156 is mounted on a shaft 158 which extendsthrough the recessed surface 42 and is secured to a hand wheel 160rotatably mounted within the recess 42. Hand wheel 160 is provided inthe form of a circular disc including four finger detents 162 designedfor engagement with a players fingers for rotation.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the playing figures 22 are positionable in thebase line slot 35 for engagement with the propelling means for movementabout the diamond. More particularly, the pin 136 on the base 132 of thefigure, is a follower pin which is adapted to extend through the baseline slot 35 and be received in a slot 144 on the annular disc 140.Since the pin 136 lies at the points of intersection of the base lineslot 35 and the slots 144, the pins 136, as they are advanced, alsoshift laterally or radially within the slots 144 in the course of travelto follow the path of the base line slot 35. Thus, as the annular disc140 is caused to rotate, the follower pin 136 received by the slots 144cause the associated figures to travel along the endless slot 35. Pin134 is shorter than pin 136 and is received in slot 35 and serves toprevent rotation of the figure 22 about the follower pin 136.

A ball catching device, generally designated 168, is provided forcatching the baseball 13 while on the infield 30. The device 168includes a stern portion 170 and a flexible, concave ball holder portion172 which will hold the ball 13 by frictional force when the device 168is pushed down over the ball. A plunger 174 is provided to force theball 13 out of the ball holding portion 172 after a play has been made.The plunger 174 is biased by a spring 176 which is coiled around theplunger 174 in an internal chamber 178 formed within the stern 170. Thespring 176 acts against a ring 180 on the plunger 174 such that a forcemust be applied to a head portion 182 of the plunger 174 to force theball 13 out of the ball holding portion 172. An additional ring 183limits the outward travel of the plunger.

Two dials 184 are provided in the recessed areas 44 to keep track of theball and strikes on a particular batter. More particularly, the dials184, contain indicia thereon which indicate the number of balls andstrikes. The dials 184 are mounted to a pair of finger wheels 192 whichextend above the recesses 44 by means of screws 194. A pair of generallyrectangular apertures 196 are provided for viewing the indicia on thedials 184 which indicate the balls and strikes, respectively, on aparticular batter.

Four dials 200, 202, 204 and 206 are rotatably mounted beneath theoutfield 32 to indicate the number of runs of the home team, number ofouts in an inning, the number designating the particular inning, and thenumber of runs of the visiting team, respectively. Each of the dials 200through 206 contain a serrated edge 208 which protrudes through slots210 in the frame wall 14 such that they may be manually rotated. Each ofthe dials 200 through 206 contain indicia thereon which appears throughcorresponding square cutouts 211 in the outfield 32. The discs 200through 206 are rotatably mounted by means of pins 212.

Each base 36 has associated therewith an indicator 24 which signifieswhether a figure 22 moving around the base line slot 35, has arrived ata particular base 36 safely or not. More particularly, each indicator 24(FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 9) generally includes a slide plate 220 pivotallymounted on the underside of the infield 30 by means of a pin 222 and asupport tab 224 attached to the underside of the infield 30 and spacedbelow the plate 220. During the play of the game, the indicator 24 willact as an umpire" of the game and decide" whether a player has arrivedat the base 36 safely or whether he will be put out.

Looking at FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 9, the plate 220 is seen to include agenerally flat horizontal ball engaging portion 230 underlying the hole50 and window 52 and a stepped generally flat horizontal figure engagingportion 234, underlying annular disc 140. The figure engaging portion234 is defined by a cam surface 236 which is movable into contactagainst the pin 136 of a figure 22. An upwardly extending tab 238extends from the top of the ball engaging portion 230 through windows52. Adjacent the tab 238, on either side thereof, a sign area 240 isdefined on the top surface of the ball engaging portion 230. The signarea on one side of the tab 238 has the word out provided thereon. Theother side of the tab 238 has no indicia thereon.

The plate 220 is pivotable between a normal safe position as shown inFIG. 7 and an out position as shown in FIG. 8. In the safe position, noindicia on the sign area 240 is observable through the window 52. In theout position the out indicia on the sign area is observable through thewindow 52.

Starting with the safe position, when a downward force is applied on theball engaging portion 230 through the hole 50, the plate pivots orrotates about a flexible narrow section 244 (FIG. 9) of the slide plate220 in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 8) so that the figure engagingportion 234 cants upwardly toward the disc 140. When the plate 220 isthus canted, pin 136 of the figure 22 received in the slot 144 of thedisc will contact the cam surface 236 and rotate the plate 220 in thedirection of arrow E as seen in FIG. 8. The plate 220 then assumes theout position as shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that the pin 136will contact cam surface 236 and move plate 220 to an out positionregardless of the direction a figure approaches the indicator 24.

If no force is applied to the ball engaging portion 230, the plate 220will remain in the safe position of FIG. 7. When in the safe position,the bottom of pin 136 of a figure 22 received in a slot 144 of the disc140 will pass over the figure engaging portion 234. Thus, pin 136 willnever contact cam surface 236 leaving the plate 220 in a safe position.

The game is played by two or more players representing opposing baseballteams. One player or team is designated as the home team and the otherplayer or team is designated as the visiting team. The visiting teamwill usually be the first team to bat as that in the game of baseball.Therefore, the home team will be on the defensive, including pitchingand fielding of the ball.

The game is started by placing the ball 13 in the pitching means 18 forpropelling the ball toward the batter. A home team member will rotatethe bat 110, by means of the finger wheel 116 in a clockwise, or cockedposition for attempting to hit the ball. The bat 1 10 will rotatecounterclockwise under the force of the resilient band 118 when thewheel 116 is released.

When a player does not swing, at a pitched ball, it will be determined astrike if the ball rolls into the recessed area 46 or a ball if the ballrolls into either of the reces ses 48. A pitched ball will be called astrike if a batter releases the wheel 116 but fails to hit the ballregardless of which recess area the ball rolls into. The number of ballsand strikes on a particular player is recorded on the dials 184.

If a batter successfully hits the ball, he will then proceed to move hisfigure 22 (which has been mounted through slot 35 and slot 144 at thestarting point on the diamond) by rotating the hand wheel 160. Thisrotation causes the annular disc 140 to rotate and move figure 22 aroundthe diamond. If the ball 13 rolls into one of the apertures 58 in theoutfield it will be an automatic out, and the ball will be returned tothe defensive team by the respective ramp 59. If, on the other hand, thebatted ball 13 rolls up the outfield 32 and through one of the openings63 it will be scored an automatic home run.

Finally, if neither of the above events occur, the batted ball will rollup the outfield surface 32 and then proceed to roll back down theoutfield 32 ricocheting between the impeding means in the form of theupstanding ribs 65. The ball 13 at this time is inaccessible because ofshield 64. The defensive team must wait until the ball becomesaccessible and attempt to catch the ball as it rolls back onto theinfield 30 by using the ball catching device 168. At the same time, theoffensive team member is causing his figure 22 to move around the baseline slot 35 by rotating the hand wheel 160.

The defensive team member will, after capturing the ball place it in oneof the apertures 50 depending on the position and movement of the figureor figures 22 around the diamond. If the defensive team member engagesthe ball in the hole 50 before the figure 22 reaches the base and thenthe figure reaches the base, the indicator 24 will signal that the baserunner is out. If, on the other hand, the base runner 22 reaches thebase 36 before the defensive team member engages the ball 13 in theopening 50, the player will be safe. It should be noted at this timethat the indicator 24 will work in either direction. That is to say,that if a figure 22 reaches a base 36 before the ball has engagedopening 50 and then overruns that base after which ball 13 is engaged inthe opening 50, he will be called out.

Thus, it is seen that the indicator 24 acts as a mechanical umpire andautomatically signals whether a particular figure 22, who is traversingthe diamond 34, is safe or out, thus creating a more realistic andlifelike simulated baseball game.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

I claim:

1. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball, a playing surfaceon which the ball is rollingly supported having a simulated baseballdiamond thereon, batting means mounted near home plate to hit the ball,pitching means to launch the ball toward the batting means, figuressimulating baseball players which are mountable on the diamond, means topropel the figures around the diamond and safe/out means for determiningwhether a hit ball resulted in a hit or an out, the improvement in saidsafe/out means comprising:

indicating means associated with at least one of said bases including aball engaging portion, a figure engaging portion which is adapted toengage said figure only when a ball engages said ball engaging portion,and a sign having indicia thereon indicating when a player is out, saidsign being movable in response to said figure engaging said figureengaging portion between a normal safe position and an out positionwherein said out indicia is displayed.

2. The device of claim 1 including means dividing said playing surfaceinto an accessible area wherein a ball may be retrieved by a player andan inaccessible area wherein a ball cannot be retrieved by a player, andmeans associated with said inaccessible area for moving said ball ontosaid accessible area after it has been in the inaccessible area.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said inaccessible area generallyincludes an outfield portion of said playing surface and said accessiblearea generally includes an infield portion of said playing surfacewhereby said ball, after being hit, moves from said accessible area tosaid in accessible area and back to said accessible area.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said outfield portion is generallyinclined downwardly toward the infield portion to provide said movingmeans as the ball moves thereover by gravity.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said inaccessible area includes ashield mounted over said outfield portion preventing access to a ballthereunder.

6. The device of claim 3 including ball impeding means in saidinaccessible area for increasing the length of time a ball is in saidinaccessible area.

7.-The device of claim 1 including a baseball catching device forselectively holding and releasing a baseball and bringing a held ballinto engagement with said indicator.

8. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball,

a playing surface on which the ball is rollingly supported having asimulated baseball diamond thereon,

batting means mounted near home plate to hit the ball, 5 pitching meansto launch the ball toward the batting means, figures simulating baseballplayers which are mountable on the diamond, means to propel the figuresaround the diamond and safe/out means for detennining whether a hit ballresulted in a hit or an out, the improvement in said safe/out meanscomprising:

an indicator associated with at least one of said bases,

including a ball engaging portion, a figure engaging portion which isadapted to engage said figure only when a ball engages said ballengaging portion, and a sign having indicia thereon indicating when aplayer is out, said sign being movable, in response to said figureengaging said figure engaging portion, between a normal safe positionand an out position wherein said out indicia is displayed;

said playing surface being divided into an accessible infield areawherein a ball may be retrieved by a player and an inaccessible cantedoutfield area wherein said ball cannot be retrieved, said outfield areaincluding impeding means for increasing the length of time the ball isin the outfield and a shield mounted over said outfield so that a ballmay move thereunder; and

a baseball catching device for selectively holding and releasing abaseball and bringing a held ball into engagement with said indicator.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said diamond includes a diamond-shapedslot forming the base path for a figure and wherein said figure includesa downwardly depending pin positionable in said diamond-shaped slot andwherein said propelling means includes a rotatable disc mounted beneaththe surface underlying said diamond-shaped slot, said disc having pinreceiving means formed therein for receiving the bottom of the dependingpin extending through said diamond-shaped slot so that the figure movesin said diamond-shaped slot in response to the rotation of said disc andmanually operable means for rotatingsaid disc.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said figure engaging portion ismounted beneath said surface and includes a cam surface for engagementby said pin whereby said sign is moved from its safe to its outposition.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the impeding means comprises aplurality of upwardly protruding deflecting ribs.

12. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball, a playing surfaceon which the ball is rollingly supported having a simulated baseballdiamond thereon, batting means mounted near home plate to hit the ball,pitching means to launch the ball toward the batting means, figuressimulating baseball players which are mountable on the diamond, means topropel the figures around the diamond and safe/out means for determiningwhether a hit ball resulted in a hit or an out, the improvementcomprising:

means dividing said playing surface into an accessible infield portionwherein a ball may be retrieved by a player and an inaccessible outfieldportion wherein a ball cannot be retrieved by a player, and meansassociated with said inaccessible outfield portion for moving said ballonto said accessible infield portion after it has been in theinaccessible 14. The device of claim 12 wherein said inaccessibleoutfield portion includes a shield mounted thereover preventing accessto a ball thereunder.

15. The device of claim 12 including ball impeding means in saidinaccessible outfield portion for increasing the length of time a ballis in said inaccessible outfield portion.

i l l I i

1. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball, a playing surfaceon which the ball is rollingly supported having a simulated baseballdiamond thereon, batting means mounted near home plate to hit the ball,pitching means to launch the ball toward the batting means, figuressimulating baseball players which are mountable on the diamond, means topropel the figures around the diamond and safe/out means for determiningwhether a hit ball resulted in a hit or an out, the improvement in saidsafe/out means comprising: indicating means associated with at least oneof said bases including a ball engaging portion, a figure engagingportion which is adapted to engage said figure only when a ball engagessaid ball engaging portion, and a sign having indicia thereon indicatingwhen a player is out, said sign being movable in response to said figureengaging said figUre engaging portion between a normal safe position andan out position wherein said out indicia is displayed.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 including means dividing said playing surface into an accessiblearea wherein a ball may be retrieved by a player and an inaccessiblearea wherein a ball cannot be retrieved by a player, and meansassociated with said inaccessible area for moving said ball onto saidaccessible area after it has been in the inaccessible area.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein said inaccessible area generally includes anoutfield portion of said playing surface and said accessible areagenerally includes an infield portion of said playing surface wherebysaid ball, after being hit, moves from said accessible area to said inaccessible area and back to said accessible area.
 4. The device of claim3 wherein said outfield portion is generally inclined downwardly towardthe infield portion to provide said moving means as the ball movesthereover by gravity.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein said inaccessiblearea includes a shield mounted over said outfield portion preventingaccess to a ball thereunder.
 6. The device of claim 3 including ballimpeding means in said inaccessible area for increasing the length oftime a ball is in said inaccessible area.
 7. The device of claim 1including a baseball catching device for selectively holding andreleasing a baseball and bringing a held ball into engagement with saidindicator.
 8. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball, aplaying surface on which the ball is rollingly supported having asimulated baseball diamond thereon, batting means mounted near homeplate to hit the ball, pitching means to launch the ball toward thebatting means, figures simulating baseball players which are mountableon the diamond, means to propel the figures around the diamond andsafe/out means for determining whether a hit ball resulted in a hit oran out, the improvement in said safe/out means comprising: an indicatorassociated with at least one of said bases, including a ball engagingportion, a figure engaging portion which is adapted to engage saidfigure only when a ball engages said ball engaging portion, and a signhaving indicia thereon indicating when a player is out, said sign beingmovable, in response to said figure engaging said figure engagingportion, between a normal safe position and an out position wherein saidout indicia is displayed; said playing surface being divided into anaccessible infield area wherein a ball may be retrieved by a player andan inaccessible canted outfield area wherein said ball cannot beretrieved, said outfield area including impeding means for increasingthe length of time the ball is in the outfield and a shield mounted oversaid outfield so that a ball may move thereunder; and a baseballcatching device for selectively holding and releasing a baseball andbringing a held ball into engagement with said indicator.
 9. The deviceof claim 8 wherein said diamond includes a diamond-shaped slot formingthe base path for a figure and wherein said figure includes a downwardlydepending pin positionable in said diamond-shaped slot and wherein saidpropelling means includes a rotatable disc mounted beneath the surfaceunderlying said diamond-shaped slot, said disc having pin receivingmeans formed therein for receiving the bottom of the depending pinextending through said diamond-shaped slot so that the figure moves insaid diamond-shaped slot in response to the rotation of said disc andmanually operable means for rotating said disc.
 10. The device of claim9 wherein said figure engaging portion is mounted beneath said surfaceand includes a cam surface for engagement by said pin whereby said signis moved from its safe to its out position.
 11. The device of claim 8wherein the impeding means comprises a plurality of upwardly protrudingdeflecting ribs.
 12. In a baseball game including a simulated baseball,a playing surface on which the baLl is rollingly supported having asimulated baseball diamond thereon, batting means mounted near homeplate to hit the ball, pitching means to launch the ball toward thebatting means, figures simulating baseball players which are mountableon the diamond, means to propel the figures around the diamond andsafe/out means for determining whether a hit ball resulted in a hit oran out, the improvement comprising: means dividing said playing surfaceinto an accessible infield portion wherein a ball may be retrieved by aplayer and an inaccessible outfield portion wherein a ball cannot beretrieved by a player, and means associated with said inaccessibleoutfield portion for moving said ball onto said accessible infieldportion after it has been in the inaccessible outfield portion, wherebysaid ball, after being hit, moves from said accessible infield portionto said inaccessible outfield portion and back to said accessibleinfield portion.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein said outfieldportion is generally inclined downwardly toward the infield portion toprovide said moving means as the ball moves thereover by gravity. 14.The device of claim 12 wherein said inaccessible outfield portionincludes a shield mounted thereover preventing access to a ballthereunder.
 15. The device of claim 12 including ball impeding means insaid inaccessible outfield portion for increasing the length of time aball is in said inaccessible outfield portion.